AfDB’s Akinwumi appoints Amadou Hott as special envoy for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa
Amadou Hott, a previous minister for Senegal, has been appointed by African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as his special envoy and advocate for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA).
At COP27 in November of last year, the African Development Bank, African Union, and Africa50 announced the establishment of the Alliance with the backing of various international organizations, including the African Union Development Agency, the African Sovereign Investors Forum, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the French Development Agency, the Rockefeller Foundation, the US Trade and Development Agency, the Global Center on Adaptation, and the Private Infrastructure Development Group.
By swiftly and substantially mobilizing the investments necessary to bridge the infrastructure gap for the continent’s low-carbon and climate-resilient growth, the Alliance will expedite Africa’s shift to Net Zero.
To create a robust pipeline of viable, greener projects, the Alliance will mobilize as much as $500 million. Due to a combination of co-investments, co-financing, risk mitigation, and blended financing, investment prospects worth up to $10 billion are expected to emerge.
Mr. Hott possesses extensive proficiency in investment banking, public-private partnerships, funding for sustainable energy and infrastructure, and resource mobilization. His strong connections with African policymakers, development partners, and institutional investors enable him to garner considerable funding for the advancement and financing of green infrastructure initiatives in Africa.
Until last September, Mr. Hott was Senegal’s minister of economy, planning, and cooperation. The Economic and Social Resilience Plan and the reform of public-private partnerships were among the notable economic transformations the nation implemented during his leadership.
Prior to his political career, Mr. Hott held the position of Vice President for Power, Energy, Green Growth, and Climate Change at the African Development Bank Group. The Bank Group notably expanded its investments in renewable energy during his tenure. He assisted the Bank Group in 2017 with the allocation of all its investments in renewable energy for power generation. Before joining the Bank Group, Mr. Hott worked in structured finance, managing sovereign wealth funds, and crafting integrated energy solutions in key markets such as New York, London, Dubai, and Lagos.
Amadou Hott holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, a master’s in financial markets and banking management, and an associate’s degree in applied mathematics from Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg, France. He was recognized with a Young Global Leader nomination by the World Economic Forum in 2012.
Reflecting on his appointment, Mr. Hott stated: “I am privileged to advocate for this exceptional initiative under President Adesina’s visionary and impactful guidance. The Alliance will facilitate Africa’s transition to Net Zero emissions. We must prioritize investments in infrastructure for Africa to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and to advance the continent’s development. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with all regional and global stakeholders and partners to succeed in this new endeavor.”
Dr. Adesina remarked: “I am thrilled to have former Minister Amadou Hott as my Special Envoy to globally champion the Alliance and assist in mobilizing substantial resources and stakeholders for increased green investments in Africa. He has a proven track record of engaging resources and multi-stakeholders for crucial initiatives, especially in green infrastructure.”
